A projection image display system which forms an image on a projection plane with plural images includes a first projection-type display apparatus, a second projection-type display apparatus, a first-controller configured to control the first projection-type display apparatus to display a guide figure when a projectable region does not contain an assigned projection region for the first projection-type display apparatus, a second controller configured to control the second projection-type display apparatus to display a reference figure when a projectable region contains an assigned projection region for the second projection-type display apparatus. The guide figure is a figure to be referenced by a user for adjusting the position of the first projection-type display apparatus. The reference figure is a figure to be referenced by the user, as a norm for the position adjustment, in combination with the guide figure.
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1. A projection image display system which forms an image on a projection plane by using a plurality of images projected from a plurality of projection-type display apparatuses, wherein the plurality of projection-type display apparatuses comprise a first projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a first assigned projection region on the projection plane, and a second projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a second assigned projection region which partially overlaps the first assigned projection region, and the projection image display system comprises a first controller and a second controller, the first controller is configured to generate a guide figure and controls the first projection-type display apparatus to display the guide figure when a first projectable region does not contain the first assigned projection region, the first projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the first projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, the second controller is configured to generates a reference figure and controls the second projection-type display apparatus to display the reference figure when a second projectable region contains the second assigned projection region, the second projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the second projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, the guide figure is a figure to be referenced by a user for adjusting the position of the first projection-type display apparatus, and the reference figure is a figure to be referenced by the user, as a norm for the position adjustment, in combination with the guide figure.
A multi-projector display system aligns images from multiple projectors onto a single screen. Two projectors, a first and a second, are set up to display images in overlapping regions. If the first projector's image falls outside its designated area, the system displays a "guide figure" from the first projector, showing the user how to adjust its position. Simultaneously, if the second projector's image is within its designated area, the system displays a "reference figure" from the second projector. The user then adjusts the first projector using the guide figure, relative to the reference figure shown by the second projector to correctly align the blended image.
2. The projection image display system according to claim 1 further comprising an assigned projection region setting unit configured to set an assigned projection region that is a region on a projection plane and is to be assigned to each of the projection-type display apparatuses, a projectable region detection unit configured to detect a projectable region that is a region on a projection plane in which each projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the projectable region contains the assigned projection region.
The projection system described above also includes an automatic calibration system. This system consists of three sub-components: (1) an "assigned projection region setting unit" which allows the user to define target areas on the screen for each projector, (2) a "projectable region detection unit" which automatically determines the actual area each projector can illuminate on the screen, and (3) a "determination unit" that compares the target area to the actual illuminated area for each projector to determine if adjustment and guide figure display is required, automating the setup of multi-projector systems.
3. The projection image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the guide figure includes an indication indicating the first projectable region, and the reference figure includes an indication indicating the boundary of an overlapping region of the first assigned projection region and the second assigned projection region.
In the multi-projector display system, the guide figure projected by the first projector shows the boundary of its total projection area. The reference figure projected by the second projector shows the outline of the zone where the first and second projector's target areas overlap. This enables easy alignment, because the user can precisely position the first projector's total projection area to have the overlap region shown by the reference projector to create a blended image.
4. The projection image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the guide figure includes a first mark, the reference figure includes a second mark arranged in an overlapping region between the first assigned projection region and the second assigned projection region, and the second mark is referenced by the user in combination with the first mark for the position adjustment.
In the multi-projector display system, the guide figure shows a distinct "first mark". The reference figure shows a "second mark" that lies within the overlapping target areas of the two projectors. The user aligns the projectors by adjusting the position of the first projector such that the first mark in the guide figure lines up with the second mark in the reference figure, facilitating quick and accurate projector calibration by using visual cues for relative positioning.
5. An image display method for a projection image display system for forming an image on a projection plane by using a plurality of projection-type display apparatuses, wherein the plurality of projection-type display apparatuses include a first projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a first assigned projection region on the projection plane, and a second projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a second assigned projection region which partially overlaps the first assigned projection region, the image display method comprises: controlling the first projection-type display apparatus to display a guide figure when a first projectable region does not contain the first assigned projection region, the first projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the first projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image; and controlling the second projection-type display apparatus to display a reference figure when a second projectable region contains the second assigned projection region, the second projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the second projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, the guide figure is a figure to be referenced by a user for adjusting the position of the first projection-type display apparatus, and the reference figure is a figure to be referenced by the user, as a norm for the position adjustment, in combination with the guide figure.
A method for aligning images from multiple projectors, the method involves using at least two projectors, a first and a second. The projectors are set up to display images in overlapping regions. The method comprises displaying a guide figure from the first projector to assist in physical adjustment if the first projector's image is outside of its intended area. Simultaneously, the method comprises displaying a reference figure from the second projector to aid in positioning the first projector relative to the second if the second projector is correctly positioned. The user adjusts the first projector according to the projected guide figure, relative to the reference figure displayed by the second projector.
6. The image display method according to claim 5 , further comprising capturing an image of the projection plane by an imaging apparatus; obtaining the captured image and setting an assigned projection region for each projection-type display apparatus based on the captured image; projecting a predetermined test pattern on the projection plane by each of the projection-type display apparatuses; capturing an image of the test pattern projected by each of the projection-type display apparatuses on the projection plane, by the imaging apparatus; and detecting a projectable region of each of the projection-type display apparatuses based on the captured image of the test pattern.
This multi-projector image alignment method can be further automated by first capturing an image of the projection plane using a camera. Using the captured image, the system sets the target projection areas for each projector. Each projector then displays a predefined test pattern. The system captures an image of each projector's test pattern. Based on the captured test pattern images, the system determines the projectable area of each projector on the projection plane, enabling automatic determination of projectable areas which facilitates the use of guide figures.
7. A projection-type display apparatus which forms an image on projection plane in cooperation with at least one other projection-type display apparatus and is assigned displaying of an image on a partial region of the formed image, the projection-type display apparatus and the other projection-type display apparatus each having a projectable region that is a region on the projection plane in which each projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, and an assigned projection region that is a region on the projection plane assigned to each projection-type display apparatus, the projection-type display apparatus including: a generation unit configured to generate a reference figured, when the projectable region of the projection-type display apparatus contains an assigned projection region of the projection-type display apparatus and when the projectable region of the other projection-type display apparatus adjacent to the projection-type display apparatus does not contain the assigned projection region of the other adjacent projection-type display apparatus, or generate a guide figure that is referenced together with a reference figure of the other projection-type display apparatus by a user for adjusting the position of the projection-type display apparatus, when the projectable region of the projection-type display apparatus does not contain the assigned projection region of the projection-type display apparatus; and a projection unit configured to projection the reference figure or the guide figure on the projection plane.
A projector is designed to be used in a multi-projector display system and needs a way to show a guide figure or reference figure. If this projector's image falls within its defined area, but a neighboring projector's image does not, it generates and displays a "reference figure". However, if this projector's image falls outside its defined area, it generates and projects a "guide figure". The guide figure is designed to be used together with a "reference figure" of an adjacent projector by a user for physically adjusting the projector's position to get its projection area aligned correctly, enabling easy multi-projector setup.
8. A control apparatus in a projection image display system which forms an image on a projection plane by using a plurality of images projected from a plurality of projection-type display apparatuses, wherein the plurality of projection-type display apparatuses include a first projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a first assigned projection region on the projection plane, and a second projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a second assigned projection region which partially overlaps the first assigned projection region, the control apparatus comprises a first controller and a second controller, the first controller is configured to send a command for displaying a guide figure to the first projection-type display apparatus when a first projectable region does not contain the first assigned projection region, the first projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the first projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, and the second controller is configured to send a command for displaying a reference figure to the second projection-type display apparatus when a second projectable region contains the second assigned projection region, the second projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the second projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, the guide figure is a figure to be referenced by a user for adjusting the position of the first projection-type display apparatus, and the reference figure is a figure to be referenced by the user, as a norm for the position adjustment, in combination with the guide figure.
This is a control system for a multi-projector display. It includes two controllers: a first and second controller. The projectors display images in overlapping regions. The first controller sends a command to the first projector to display a "guide figure" if the first projector's image is outside its designated area. The second controller sends a command to the second projector to display a "reference figure" if the second projector's image is correctly positioned within its designated area. The user physically adjusts the first projector by following the guide figure relative to the reference figure, which ultimately aligns the projection.
9. A non-transitory recording medium storing a control program for a projection image display system which forms an image on a projection plane by using a plurality of images projected from a plurality of projection-type display apparatuses, wherein the plurality of projection-type display apparatuses include a first projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a first assigned projection region on the projection plane, and a second projection-type display apparatus which is assigned displaying of an image in a second assigned projection region which partially overlaps the first assigned projection region, and the control program causes a computer to: control the first projection-type display apparatus to display a guide figure when a first projectable region does not contain the first assigned projection region, the first projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the first projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image; and control the second projection-type display apparatus to display a reference figure when a second projectable region contains the second assigned projection region, the second projectable region being a region on a projection plane, in which the second projection-type display apparatus can actually project an image, the guide figure is a figure to be referenced by a user for adjusting the position of the first projection-type display apparatus, and the reference figure is a figure to be referenced by the user, as a norm for the position adjustment, in combination with the guide figure.
This is a control program stored on a computer-readable medium for aligning images from multiple projectors. The program performs these steps: It controls the first projector to display a "guide figure" if the first projector's image is outside its target area. It controls the second projector to display a "reference figure" if the second projector's image is within its target area, assuming the two projectors are set up to display images in overlapping regions. The guide and reference figures help a user to physically adjust the first projector to align it correctly, by referencing one to the other.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 19, 2014
April 11, 2017
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